NCIt Definition: A large vessel vasculitis affecting the aorta and its branches. It usually affects young females. It causes vascular obstruction, resulting in asymmetric pulses.

RADLEX Definition: A thrombo-obliterative process of the great vessels stemming from the aortic arch, occurring generally in young women. Radial and carotid pulses are typically obliterated. Skin changes are due to the disturbed circulation. There may be loss of hair and atrophy of the skin and its appendages with underlying muscle atrophy. (Andrews' Diseases of the Skin, 8th ed) [MeSH]

GARD Definition: Takayasu arteritis is a condition that causes inflammation of the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body (aorta) and its associated branched blood vessels. As a result of the inflammation, the blood vessel walls become thick and make it difficult for blood to flow. Over time, impaired blood flow causes damage to the heart and various other organs of the body. Although the cause remains unknown, Takayasu arteritis appears to be an autoimmune condition, in which cells that fight infection and disease are wrongly targeted against the body's own tissues. - this information is from GARD/ORDR/NCATS.

NICHD Definition: A large vessel granulomatous vasculitis affecting the aorta or its main branches and pulmonary arteries with angiographic findings of stenosis, occlusion, or aneurysm. Clinical findings include absent or asymmetric pulses (discrepancy in four limb blood pressure), bruits, hypertension, or elevation in acute phase reactants.

MSH Definition: A chronic inflammatory process that affects the AORTA and its primary branches, such as the brachiocephalic artery (BRACHIOCEPHALIC TRUNK) and CAROTID ARTERIES. It results in progressive arterial stenosis, occlusion, and aneurysm formation. The pulse in the arm is hard to detect. Patients with aortitis syndrome often exhibit retinopathy.

A chronic inflammatory process that affects the AORTA and its primary branches, such as the brachiocephalic artery (BRACHIOCEPHALIC TRUNK) and CAROTID ARTERIES. It results in progressive arterial stenosis, occlusion, and aneurysm formation. The pulse in the arm is hard to detect. Patients with aortitis syndrome often exhibit retinopathy.